Bibione Spa Environmental Programme
FOR 2004
In the wake of the positive experience of the start of environmental management in 2001, followed through in 2002 and 2003, Bibione Thermae comes forward with new objectives for 2004, aimed at improving the range of treatments and services offered, taking into consideration the clean, well-kept surroundings immersed in greenery expected by patients and tourists alike. The undoubtedly privileged position of Bibione Thermal Resort from an environmental point of view with an immense beach and the sea to the South and one of the most beautiful, natural urban parks in the whole seaside resort of Bibione to the North, call for care and choices that increasingly aim to protect and valorise the environment. Participation in the EMAS environmental certification of the Bibione tourist centre was a welcome choice then, and one that is held to be indispensable today. With the same declared commitment when the environmental policy was laid down in the document dated 3 May 2001, today we are working at continuing investments to further improve the company's environmental performance also for 2004, after having achieved the targets that were set for 2002 and 2003. Commitments for 2004 can be summarised as follows:
RATIONALISATION OF ENERGY CONSUMPTION
Since 2001 the company has set itself the aim of investing each year to adjust and improve equipment and apparatus for system control and management to decrease energy consumption.
In 2003 the company made special investments in this sector, which represents the largest area of costs, by installing modulation systems for the most important pumps. The outline for intervention in 2004 represents a logical continuation of previous investments as follows:
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This year sees the start up of regular use of a replacement plan for the pumps and relative motors. It is well-known that absorption and "leaks" in the energy system increase proportionately with the use and age of the motors, cables and switches. A study commissioned to Energika S.r.l. has shown just how high losses in energy transport are and how important it is to have localised power factor improvement systems for each panel. Following the suggestions made by the study, 2004 will see the replacement of the thrust pumps with relative pump cabin motors, global revision of all the electric panels with replacement of those showing the most signs of wear and prearrangement for power factor improvement apparatus in the sub-panels.
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Installation of automated heating control for the spa pool open to the public. While the temperature of the therapeutic pools, the air in the various departments and every other apparatus is controlled by a central station interfaced with the various computers in charge of the different rooms, the spa pool is currently equipped with a manual system that requires operator intervention to adjust the temperature and timer according to changes in the external climate or changes in opening times to the public. During 2003 Honeywell elaborated a study to completely automate pool system management. Given the high cost of the new apparatus and management software, the work necessary is planned over several years. 2004 will see automation of the air treatment units, which is expected on the one hand to produce greater savings and on the other, greater flexibility and promptness from the structure in adjusting to climatic changes, thus satisfying the needs and requirements of those using it.
REDUCTION IN PAPER CONSUMPTION
Ahead of the legislator, the Spa has prepared a programme for radical decrease in the use of paper. Often, public administration adopts measures for the use of recycled paper. But never enough studies are made into how to completely eliminate the need for paper, changing management procedures and methods. By modifying the methods used since opening, the company intends to eliminate at least fifty per cent of paper used by:
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1. Replacing all programmes that use tax invoices with those using tax receipts, interfacing the management programme with cash registers instead of printers.
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2. Using internet to forward treatment prescriptions to the various departments thus completely eliminating printouts and giving operators the possibility of consulting the treatment prescription on screen.
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3. Adding the option of "screen" printing for all procedures, leaving printing on paper for absolute necessities. It will be possible to use intranet to send messages, memos and post-its to the various departments and operators.
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4. Eliminating the company copy of the invoice through digital memorisation, given that tax laws have introduced this option as of 2004.
TRAINING, AWARENESS AND COMMUNICATION
Involvement of all the staff is an essential condition for putting environmental policy into practice. Periodic meetings will be scheduled involving all employees and collaborators. Training of employees and collaborators will be improved through:
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Periodic meetings with service managers.
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Periodic meetings involving all employees and collaborators.
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Distribution of information material provided by other Organisations participating in the Bibione Tourist centre environmental project.
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Awareness and external communication will include:
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1. Exposure of the company's environmental policy and its objectives to clients and the general public both inside the company and via the internet site.
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2. Making illustrative material available to encourage the public and clients to follow behaviour rules coherent with the objectives of the company environmental policy.
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3. Reminding the public and clients to respect the green areas open to the public.
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